Alliance with BJP is patthar ki lakeer and I stand by that: Mehbooba Mufti

PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti has said that her late father Mufti Sayeed’s decision to have the alliance with the saffron party was like a “will” to be fufilled even by his children.

Mufti, who is likely to succeed her father as the state’s next chief minister, said that her father’s decision to ally with BJP was “patthrr ki lakeer (something carved in stone)” and “I stand by his word”.

Her comments assume significance in the efforts to form a new government in the valley, which has been under Governor’s rule since 8 January.

“I want to make one thing clear, that it (alliance with BJP) is a decision taken by Sayeed and I respect it. When a father makes a ‘will’ to his children, it’s their responsibility to fulfill that ‘will’ even if they get consumed while doing so,” the PDP leader was quoted by PTI news agency.

Mehbooba also justified her father’s decision to ally with the BJP saying he had done so ‘for the people of Jammu and Kashmir, to maintain unity of the state, and for peace and development.”

“The ‘Agenda of Alliance’ which they (his father and BJP) chalked out is also very important just like Mufti Sahib’s word,” she said.

Mehbooba said she would form the government only if she feels that the dreams of her father would be fulfilled.

“I will sit on the chair only if I feel I will fulfil the dreams of Sayeed for the people of Jammu and Kashmir. The chair is needed for the people of the state, not for myself.

If I will get the chair just for myself and my family, then I don’t need it as I don’t have such ambitions.

“If I had such an ambition, I would have taken the chair during the lifetime of my father,” she said.